Watkinson Wins Saugus Grand Am Main

John Watkinson of Canyon Country traded in his Sportsman race car this season for a Grand American Modified.

Saturday night at Saugus Speedway, Watkinson accomplished in his second Grand Am race what he pulled off only once in five years behind the wheel of a Sportsman: a main-event victory.

Charging from an 11th-place start, Watkinson moved into the lead with seven laps to go and held on to win the 30-lap race in front of 4,747.

“I had to take some chances,” said Watkinson, who finished fifth in Sportsman points last season. “I had to pass a lot of cars on the outside. I knew that was the only way I was going to win.”

Rod Johnson of Canyon Country finished second and Greg Austin of Mission Hills took third.

Mike Corning of San Diego, who won three main events in as many appearances at Saugus last season, led from the second lap until Watkinson made his pass in the back straightaway on Lap 23. Corning was involved in a two-car spin on the final lap and did not cross the finish line.

In the 40-lap Sportsman main event, defending champion Gary Sigman of Carson made it two victories in two outings this season by starting on the pole and leading from start to finish.

Sigman took the checkered flag three seconds ahead of John Higgins of Simi Valley. Ray Hooper Jr. of Sylmar finished third.

The 25-lap Street Stock oval main event was delayed four laps into the race when the car of Hector Cruz of Sun Valley flipped in heavy traffic and rolled three times. After a 10-minute delay, Cruz walked to an ambulance under his own power and was taken to a hospital.

The race was won by Gerrit Cromsigt of Palmdale, who started 13th and moved into the lead on Lap 17 en route to his second Street Stock main-event win of the season. Todd Conrad of Sierra Madre finished second and Kelly Colgan of Shadow Hills was third.

Cromsigt also has won two Pro Stock main events and is the Pro Stock division’s points leader. He entered the evening second in points in Street Stock.

In other races, Mark Allen of Lancaster won the 10-lap Street Stock oval main event to lead four drivers who advanced to the main event. Michael Price of Gardena, Chris Pedersen of Los Angeles and Bart Bartholomew of Canyon Country also advanced.